Skip advert
Advertisement

Volkswagen Golf (Mk7 2013-2020) review – design

The Volkswagen Golf defines the family hatchback class, for good reason

Evo rating
RRP
from £17,785
  • Quality, space, refinement, performance
  • Everyone’s got one

How do you sum up a design as familiar as the Golf's? Some might use the word "boring", and it's true that there are plenty of rivals offering more intriguing shapes, but pragmatically few of the Mk7 Golf's rivals will age anything like as well and even fewer can trace their family lineage so consistently back through the decades.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Instantly recognisable, the Golf’s never been too radical a looker and this one is no different. It’s a handsome car though, the bold crease under the door handles and neatly detailed front and rear lights are nice touches. There are even some surprises; the designer’s playfulness is apparent in those headlights, where a couple of VW emblems form part of the unit. GT and R-Line models really up the visual appeal, adding more sporting looks and bringing bigger wheel options.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The GMA S1 is today’s McLaren F1 – sorry, T.50 owners
GMA S1
News

The GMA S1 is today’s McLaren F1 – sorry, T.50 owners

Gordon Murray Automotive has revived the McLaren F1 with the road-biased GMA S1, a 12,100rpm V12 special based upon the ultra-exclusive S1 LM
14 Aug 2026
McLaren McL 6GT is a new manual supercar and a complete reset
McLaren McL 6GT
News

McLaren McL 6GT is a new manual supercar and a complete reset

Unbelievably, the design of this new McLaren is more surprising than the reintroduction of a manual transmission…
14 Aug 2026
The £1.5m Aston Martin Valen is an 838bhp V12 special with a hidden purpose
Aston Martin Valen
News

The £1.5m Aston Martin Valen is an 838bhp V12 special with a hidden purpose

Aston Martin has launched its latest limited-run model, devising a new ‘V’ name and the most powerful iteration of its twin-turbocharged V12 ever prod…
14 Aug 2026